Samdech Ouv Health Care Center to be built near Preah Vihear Temple

By Soy Sophea

In order to enhance the welfare of people living atop the Dong Rek Mountain and to amplify the life affirming news of the Preah Vihear temple complex’s induction to the World Heritage Status List, a local charity organization has plans to contribute thousands of US dollars to build a new and fully equipped health care center.

Moeung Son, President of the Khmer Civilization Organization, told the Cambodia Weekly July 15 that his newly-established organization had a plans to invest up to US $30,000 in the new health care center. The project is to be funded by donations from Cambodian charitable organizations, both inside and outside the nation. He added that his vision has been approved by Hong Soth, Secretary General of the Preah Vihear National Committee.

The Khmer Civilization Organization was launched on July 11, under the presidency of Meoung Son, who is also the chairman of Eurasie Travel Co. Ltd.

“I am very concerned about health conditions over there. It is difficult to find medical treatment at the top of the mountain and sometimes the inhabitants of the region are forced to cross the border to Thailand for medical treatment,” he said.

Moeung Son said that he had received a recommendation from Cambodia’s Former King Norodom Sihanouk, following a meeting between his committee members and the Royal Palace, July 9. He said that the King’s Father Norodom Sihanouk gave his team the green light to build the health center, naming it the Samdech Ouv Health Center.

Hong Soth, Secretary General of the Preah Vihear National Committee, told the Cambodia Weekly that he has agreed to the organization’s proposal. However, his Committee had not reached complete agreement over the location and suitability of a plot of land on which to construct the health center. This question is exercising the minds of committee members, according to Soth.

He said that people at the top of the mountain face regular bouts of diarrhea, with many inhabitants affected by dengue fever and malaria. He said that the only option for those who chose not to cross the border was the Provincial Hospital, a costly 50 kilometers away from the mountain top and downtown Preah Vihear.

To enable access to medical care, Moeung Son added he will open the center 24 hours a day.

Chea Bunthoeun, 29, originally from Kampong Cham province, said he and fellow mountain dwellers are very happy to hear that there will be a health care center to cover the mountain top.

“It will be a weight off our minds to have confidence in our nation’s healthcare delivery,” Bunthoeun said. “Naturally, as a proud Cambodian, I prefer my country’s health care centers rather than those cross the border.”

Bunthoeun said that to date there are no arrangements for dealing with medical emergencies on top of the mountain. He repeated claims that those who were sick crossed the border to Thailand to get medical treatment. Furthermore, he complained that it cost him 100 Thai Baht (roughly 12 000 riel) to receive treatment in Thailand.